James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails who tragically lost their lives in the atrocity will never be forgotten.

Two years ago today on Saturday 20th June 2020. On what was a sunny summers evening soon became one of the darkest days in Reading’s history as an atrocious terror attack unfolded in Forbury Gardens.

This callous act which saw six innocent people brutally attacked in our town’s very own back garden sent shockwaves not only through Reading City Football Club but the diverse cultural community of Reading.

This atrocity sought to divide our diverse cultural community, the reaction however was one of strength and unity in the days and weeks after the attack.

Forbury Gardens is a focal part of our community here in Reading and houses the iconic Maiwand Lion which soon became a symbol following the terror attack as just like the Maiwand Lion which stands proudly in the centre of Forbury Gardens, the community has continued to roar and remain strong as we remind those who seek to divide us, that they will fail, as united we stand, divided we fall.

Two years on from that dark day our thoughts remain with the family, friends and all those who knew James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails who tragically lost their lives in this atrocity, they’ll never be forgotten.

Our thoughts are also with all those who remain affected by this incident including the brave emergency services who ran towards danger whilst others ran away.

Two years may have passed, but the atrocity that unfolded on that fateful day will continue to feel much more recent for many of us and the enormity of one’s callous actions on that summer evening remains at the forefront of our minds.

We will never forget.